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By

Charlena McMullin !984

It was a beautiful morning. Birds singing, and just a slight warm breeze flowing through the mountain pass. It reminded him of those long lazy spring days he'd spent here as a child.

Maxwell was sitting down to yet another magnificent breakfast, the kind his wife was famous for. They had not lived here long. While Maxwell had grown up in this very house, as a teenager he'd chosen to explore the great wide world. Now that he was married, he saw the virtues this place had to offer.

Shirley had seen them too. The people, the fresh clean country air, and breathtaking scenery had all been contributing factors to their decision to move here. "The perfect place to start a family," Shirley had said.

Maxwell leaned back in his chair after finishing his last bite. He thought about the chores that awaited him and wished he could languish just a little longer. "That was delicious," he said with a smile. "I guess I'd better get to it. If I sit here much longer, you won't get me out of this chair with a pry bar." He dragged himself out of his seat and reached for his jacket.

"Don't forget to pick up the dry cleaning if you're in town today," Shirley reminded him. He kissed her on the forehead and started for the door.

From the corner of his eye he saw a figure through the kitchen window. He stopped in his tracks and took a better look. It was Jack Barns, their next door neighbor.

"What's wrong, Maxwell?" Shirley asked.

"It's Jack. What's he doing here this early?" Maxwell wondered aloud. By the urgency of Jack's stride, it was obvious something was wrong. In the time it took for Maxwell to get to the door, Jack was already there. He burst in without so much as a knock.

"Three of my cows, Max! The damn thing killed three of my cows!" He screamed.

Shirley dropped the plate she was washing, and it shattered on the floor. Jack turned his head in shock. Shirley knew he was concerned and waved him off. "It's ok," she said. "I'll take care of it."

Relieved, Maxwell turned his attention back to Jack. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Sorry, Shirley," Jack said over Maxwell's shoulder. Without waiting for her reply, he returned to his ire. "It's not pretty. Their hearts were torn out while they were still alive. I know because one of them was still writhing when I walked into the barn. I must have just missed the monster."

"Oh my!" Shirley cried. For some reason the thought of that grizzly scene made her feel ill. She left the room in a dead run for the toilet.

"Are you alright, Babe?" Maxwell asked as he went after her. She had not been herself lately and he was concerned that this was just one more sign that something was very wrong.

"Can I get you something?" he called through the door.

A few seconds later it opened and Shirley emerged, pale and drawn. "No, I'm alright," she said while composing herself. "Those poor animals. What could do such a horrible thing?"

Maxwell put his arms around her and whispered in her ear. "Why don't you go lay down for awhile? It'll make you feel better.."

"I think I'll do that," she replied. Then she looked at her husband. "But what are we going to do about OUR cows? They're all we have. If we lose them....."

"They'll be alright," Maxwell consoled. "Please, don't upset yourself, Shirley. Nothing's going to happen to them. I'll make sure of that. Now just go and lay down, ok? And maybe we should call the doctor for an appointment. You haven't been well for a while now."

Shirley agreed and made her way to their room. When Maxwell got back to the kitchen, Jack was pouring himself a drink.

"I hope you don't mind," he said, holding up the bottle. "This thing's got me wound up in a knot."

"Not at all. I'm sure you can use it," Maxwell said.

"How's Shirley doing?"

"She's pretty shook up by the looks of it. But you know women, Jack."

The burly man gave him a wry, knowing smile. "Ya, but don't let her hear you say that."

The two men chuckled and sat down at the table. Maxwell leaned in toward Jack before speaking. "So tell me, were they all killed the same way?"

"Ya," he said with disgust in his voice. "Like something reached in and just ripped the heart right out them. Nothing else is touched. No other wounds. Not even a sign of struggle. I got two dogs that have a fit if a cricket chirps. Not a whimper out of either of them all night. We've got to do something about it before every animal in the county is butchered. That's why I'm here. I'm setting up a town meeting. You in? I need some help getting every body together."

"I'm in," Maxwell stated. "I have as much at stake as everyone else in this town. What time?"

"Say eight o'clock?" Jake suggested. "It'll give us time to reach as many farmers as we can."

" We need all the man power we can get," Maxwell agreed. "Hopefully, we'll find a way to stop this thing before we lose even more animals. Do you have any idea what could do this?"

"I don't know, Max. I just don't know," Jack said, shaking his head.

The two men quickly made their plans for organizing the meeting, and then Jack got up from his chair. "I'd best be on my way. Lots of things to get done before tonight."

Maxwell walked him to the door. "Thanks for your support, Max." Jack said and walked out.

Maxwell went to the bedroom and carefully opened the door. Shirley was fast asleep. She lay there so peacefully that Max decided let her rest. He would tell her about the meeting later.

A few hours later, his chores were done and he'd located all the people who were on his list. It was after 6 o'clock by the time he walked back into the house. Shirley was busy making dinner. She greeted him warmly and they embraced.

"Feeling better?" Maxwell asked.

"Much better, thanks," she smiled at him. "That nap did a lot of good."

Maxwell kissed her gently and then started washing up in the sink.

"What are the farmers going to do, Maxwell?" She asked

He splashed water over his face and blindly reached for a towel. "There's a town meeting tonight," he said, and dried himself. "Jack and I went to all the farms around here and warned them. I think you should stay with Murial tonight. I don't know when I'll be home and I'd feel much more at ease."

"Nonsense," she said softly, and then raised her voice as a show of strength. "I'm not going to be scared away from my own home. Besides, the shot gun is by the door, and I know how to use it."

"Ok, ok. I know better than to argue with you," he said, and put his hands in front of his face in mock fear. They both laughed.

Jack and Maxwell had done a good job spreading the word around. Farmers from all over the county came to listen to the tale. The fact that none of them had been affected didn't minimize their fear and interest. No one's herd was safe as long as there was a creature out there that could rip the heart out of a living cow.

"It sounds almost surgical," one of the participants had noted.

The meeting went on for about an hour. It was decided that a search party would be formed. Four shifts and six men to a shift would begin a search pattern, spiraling outward from Jack's farm. Maxwell and Jack made up part of the first watch.

They covered a lot of ground in those first six hours, but for most part, that's all they did. No one got so much as a glimpse of the creature.

When Maxwell finally got home, all he wanted to do was hit the sack. He knew even before he walked in the door that Shirley would be waiting up for him. He smiled at the thought.

"No luck?" Shirley asked. He just shook his head slowly. "I made you a sandwich, and the tea's still hot."

"Thanks," Maxwell replied and sat down hard. Shirley brought his food and stared massaging his shoulders.

"Oh, ya. That feels good," he sighed. He craned his head around to look at her. "I sure am lucky to have found a woman like you."

"Damn right," Shirley said with a smile. Her fingers felt the tension leave her husband's body as she gently manipulated his shoulder and neck muscles.

"So what's the next move?" she asked.

"Hm?" he asked drowsily. Maxwell's eyes were closed and he was slowly nodding out. The question brought him back to consciousness, and reality. "Oh.... I'm not sure yet. Depends on how the rest of the night goes, I guess. I hope this is over soon, though. my feet are already killing me."

"I hope so too," Shirley said. She had a bad feeling about all this.

In the morning, Jack was at the door again. This time the news as good. "No one's livestock was touched last night," he said. "That means we've either chased the thing away, or it's smart. I think we should keep up the search in either case. Even if it's still around and knows we're after it, it has to get hungry eventually."

Maxwell nodded agreement. " Maybe it WAS just an isolated incident," he said.

Shirley invited Jack in for a cup of coffee, and then offered him breakfast. When he refused, Maxwell stepped in.

"You've never had my Shirley's scrambled eggs," he enticed. "Join us for breakfast, Jack."

"Ok," Jack finally said. "Thanks. As long as it's not too much trouble."

"No trouble at all, Jack," Shirley replied. "It'll give me some practice cooking for more than the two of us."

"You trying to tell me something?" Jack asked inquisitively.

"No," Shirley laughed. "But we're hoping to have a house full some day."

"It's nice to see a young couple like you. Reminds me of when Murial and I were first married. And when the time comes, don't worry, my Murial's the best damn midwife in the county. Our three are all grown up now. Moved to the city. It's hard to keep them on the farm these days."

"Well, I'm FROM the city," said Shirley. "I guess you always want what you don't have. Coming to the country was the best thing that ever happened to me. Besides meeting Maxwell, of course.." She smiled and looked at her husband who was too busy buttering toast to notice.

"You never did tell me where you were from," Jack said.

"I'm from Toronto," she replied. "But Max grew up right here in this house. You could say he's one of those prodigal kids you were talking about."

"So you met in the city and decided to come out here to raise a family?" Jack asked.

"Actually, we met when I was touring an archaeological dig with my ancient history class. I put my bag down for a second so I could study the day's dig. When I was through, I rejoined the rest of the party. A few minutes later I realized I had left my bag behind, so I went back and there was Maxwell, holding my bag. He said he had been looking for the owner. We talked a bit and he asked me out. The rest is history, as they say. We've been together ever since. When Maxwell told me about this place, I knew it was where I wanted to be."

"Well, I wish you two all the luck in the world," Jack said. "Maxwell was right. Those were the best scrambled eggs I've ever had."

Shirley smiled.

Jack pushed his chair away from the table. "I better be gettin home. though. Murial's likely wondering where I got to. She'll be here in a minute pulling me home by my ears."

"Oh, now that's a terrible thing to say," Shirley chided.

"Thanks again for the breakfast, Shirley."

"You're welcome, Jack," she said.

"I'll see you later tonight, Max."

"I'll be there. Have a good day, Jack. Say hi to Murial for us."

He got up from his seat and walked his friend to the door. "I guess I'd better be getting to MY chores too," he joked. "Just in case you gave Shirley any ideas with that ears thing."

They both chuckled. Shirley just moaned in disgust.

When Maxwell turned around she put her hand out. "I need the car keys, Max. I've got some shopping to do today. You'll have to make your own lunch. I'm not sure when I'll be back."

"Sure," he replied. "I'm sure I can scrape something up," and he handed her the keys.

Shirley drove the ten miles to town, picked up the things she needed, and kept her appointment with Doctor Parson. When she left, she was grinning from ear to ear. The drive home was full of joy. All the previous night's worry was wiped away.

When she got home she looked for Maxwell but he was no where to be found. She picked up a note on the kitchen table and read it. Maxwell had gone to an early meeting with Jack, and there was no telling when he'd be home. She was disappointed.

A few minutes later the phone rang. Shirley ran to answer it, hoping to find Maxwell at the other end.

"Hi, Sugar," he said. "Did you get everything you wanted from town today?"

"Yes," she said excitedly. "When are you coming home?"

"Not sure yet. We're running a little late. Is there something wrong? You sound strange."

"Oh, no... Nothing wrong my darling. It's just that I have some really great news and I can't wait to tell you."

"Ok, so tell me," Maxwell said, getting in to the spirit of her exuberance.

"No," Shirley said flatly. "I'll wait until you come home."

"That's just great. Get me all worked up and then leave me there," he complained while trying to hold back his laughter. "I'll be home soon. Gotta get some sleep before my shift." He was silent for a second and then said, "Jack's calling me, Honey. I'll see you soon."

"Ok. Bye, Max. I love you," Shirley said.

"I love you too, Shirley," he replied, and hung up.

The evening went by and Maxwell still hadn't come home. Shirley began to worry. She told herself that they had probably caught the thing and there was nothing to worry about. That thought only calmed her for the moment, for as the hours went by and there was still no word, her turmoil was renewed in force.

Suddenly, the door flew open and Maxwell fell on the floor screaming in pain. "Help me, Shirley!" he cried again and again.

She ran over to him in panic. It was obvious that he'd been shot several times. As she neared him, the full horror of the evening began to come into focus. He was clasping a heart in his right hand. It was fresh and still oozing blood. Jack and the others bust in a second later.

"There's our monster," Jack screamed. "Stand aside, Shirley. It's not human. We've got to make sure it's dead."

"NO!" she cried. "Leave him alone! You can't do this!" But Jack pushed her aside and fired point blank into Maxwell's stomach.

"Murderer!" Shirley screamed,tears rolling from her eyes. "It's Maxwell, can't you see that?" She tried again to go to her husband, and again Jack held her back.

She struggled and hit him as hard as she could, but it wasn't enough. "Let go of me you murdering bastard!"

"Look at it, Shirley!" Jack shouted. "It's not human. I saw him butcher that cow with my own eyes. LOOK AT HIM!"

As the life drained from his body, Maxwell's skin became transparent. Instead of blood, a clear jell formed in the wounds. She drew back in disgust as an overpowering smell hit her and twisted her stomach in knots.

"What's happening?" she asked, shaking.

Under his skin was a mass of writhing activity. Thousands of snake-like creatures began to emerge, tearing through the thin layer of transparent skin. Separate, yet connected to a single main strand that should have been a spinal column. They had no eyes but each began to scream and writhe in pain, like nerve endings exposed to salt.

As the main strand withered, they began to cry in unison.

"Forgive me Shirley!"

She put her hands to her ears in a vain attempt to block out the hideous noise. Shirley ran out of the house, sobbing and vomiting convulsively as her stomach wrenched from the horror of what she had just witnessed. Jack was right behind her. She turned to him with a frozen glare.

"It's over." she heard him say in the distance.

But as the pain in her abdomen became unbearable, and the full impact of Maxwell's betrayal became clear to her, she knew it had all just begun. She clutched her stomach, and from her throat came a scream that was so primal she couldn't claim it as her own. She stood divorced from herself.

Jack knew there was nothing he could do for her now. He Left her there and rejoined the others. He would ask Murial to stay with her tonight. It was the least he could do.

Jack and three other men stayed behind to clean up the gruesome remains. Shirley was still outside and well out of ear shot when one of the men tapped Jack on the shoulder and whispered, "He was your friend, wasn't he? It must be tough on you, too."

"Ya," replied Jack. "We grew up together. But it had to end this way. He would have told her, it was just a matter of time. She was talking about having kids, can you imagine? The world isn't ready for us yet, Doug. He should have never married an outsider."

"It's just too bad Shirley had to see it," Doug said. "What are we going to do about her?"

" Nothing!" Jack said sternly. "Who would believe her?"

"Guess you're right," Doug replied. "It's just lucky she didn't get pregnant."

Jack starred off in to the darkness. "Ya," he said quietly, and went back to his task.

It was a beautiful morning. Birds singing, just a slight warm breeze flowing through the mountain pass. The kind of morning that reminds you of those long lazy spring days of childhood.

Shirley stood alone in the dawn, her mind a spinning void. She'd had a surprise for Maxwell. A beautiful gift of life. Now, in the wake of the night's revelation that gift had turned to a curse. It turned out Maxwell had had a surprise of his own. She sank to her knees and silently cried.